Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pear'

English Word: pear

Key Russian Translations:

• груша [ɡruˈʂa] - [Informal, Common noun for the fruit]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in everyday conversations about food and nature, but not as frequent as basic staples like "apple").

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; suitable for early learners as it involves simple vocabulary and basic noun forms in Russian).

Pronunciation (Russian):

груша: [ɡruˈʂa]

Note on груша: The "ш" sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the "sh" in "she" in English, but ensure to stress the second syllable. This can be tricky for beginners due to the soft consonants in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The fruit of the pear tree (a common edible fruit).

Translation(s) & Context:

• груша - Used in everyday contexts for the fruit, such as in shopping, cooking, or describing nature. It is a straightforward noun without significant regional variations.

Usage Examples:

• Я ем свежую грушу за завтраком.

  I eat a fresh pear for breakfast. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting everyday routine.)

• Груша растёт в нашем саду и созревает осенью.

  The pear grows in our garden and ripens in the fall. (Demonstrates the noun with verbs in a descriptive context, illustrating seasonal usage.)

• Купи несколько груш на рынке, они очень сладкие.

  Buy a few pears at the market; they are very sweet. (This shows plural form and imperative structure in a conversational setting.)

• В салате из фруктов всегда добавляют грушу для вкуса.

  In a fruit salad, they always add a pear for flavor. (Illustrates the noun in a culinary context with prepositional phrases.)

• Моя бабушка делает варенье из спелых груш.

  My grandmother makes jam from ripe pears. (Shows the noun with adjectives and in a familial or traditional context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Груша" is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners. Always pay attention to the ending changes based on case and number in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грушевое дерево (grushevoe derevo) - Refers specifically to the pear tree, with a slight emphasis on the plant rather than the fruit.
  • пیر (pir) - A less common, borrowed term, used in more formal or botanical contexts.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "груша" is a specific fruit. However, in broader food contexts, antonyms might include words for unrelated fruits like "кислый фрукт" (kislyy frukt - sour fruit), but none are precise.

Related Phrases:

• Спелая груша - A ripe pear (Used to describe quality in food shopping or cooking contexts).
• Груша в компоте - Pear in compote (Common in Russian cuisine, referring to preserved fruits).
• Сад с грушей - Garden with a pear tree (Often used in descriptions of rural or home settings).

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "груша" directly corresponds to "pear" in English as a common noun for the fruit. It is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings, such as daily conversations or written recipes. Be mindful of Russian case endings; for example, use the genitive form "груши" when indicating possession (e.g., "сок груши" for "pear juice"). If multiple translations exist, choose "груша" for general purposes, but opt for more specific terms like "грушевое дерево" when referring to the tree. Grammatically, it pairs well with adjectives (e.g., "свежая груша" for "fresh pear") and is ideal for building basic sentences in beginner-level Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative form "груша" in all cases, e.g., saying "Я ем груша" instead of "Я ем грушу". Correct: The accusative form "грушу" is needed after verbs like "ем" (eat). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must adjust endings based on the sentence structure to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Confusing it with similar-sounding words like "груда" (heap or pile), e.g., mistakenly saying "груда" when meaning "pear". Correct: Use "груша" specifically for the fruit. Explanation: Pay attention to pronunciation and context to prevent mix-ups, as homophones are common in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "груша" is a staple fruit often associated with autumn harvests and traditional homemade preserves like compote or jam. While not tied to major folklore, pears symbolize simplicity and abundance in rural life, appearing in classic literature such as works by Chekhov, where they represent everyday country living rather than deeper symbolic meanings.

Related Concepts:

• яблоко (apple)
• вишня (cherry)
• фруктовый сад (fruit garden)